Cheap Ferric Chloride

[mpcoppin]

I was shopping around for Ferric Chloride and reading about how to make my own (because it’s “cheaper”) when I found this stuff on Amazon & Walmart. It was cheaper and I could get it faster.

The CESCO says that it’s 43% FeCL3. Looking at the stuff I’ve seen others (on here and YouTube) buying from MG Chemicals, that is labeled “42 Degrees Baumé.”

I’m having a hard time finding the formula for calculating % concentration from degrees baumé (I think you get specific gravity from degrees baumé and then you figure concentration from that). BUT…

1- Does anybody use the CESCO stuff?

2- If so, what ratio of water to acid are you using?

3- Am I overthinking this? Is it pretty much guesswork anyway?

 

[Blankblank]

I have that ferric chloride it works just fine.

I actually cut it down with vinegar. Not so much because I wanted it to be weaker, just so I could fill larger vessels and etch longer blades.

I didn't measure what ratio it was, I just added distilled vinegar until it's was a large enough quantity. It honestly didn't really effect the characteristics of how the acid etches the blades. (With the amount I added) At least that I've noticed.

 

[Ken H>]

This item #B07BHXWBZ3 is what I ordered from Amazon at $46 shipped. I mixed it about 3 to 1 with distilled water for etching. Strong FeCl will etch faster, but I'm told the etch isn't as good as using weaker solution and taking longer to etch. I like to do one etch with FeCl, then several hours in a strong instant coffee etch. Seems to get the black a bit "blacker", then bake to stabilize the black a bit.